Engine oil leak?

Engine Performance problem
1996 Honda Accord 4 cyl Automatic 160000 miles
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my 1996 honda accord has been leaking oil. What i found particularly odd is the oil only leaks while the engine is on. I have noticed this because as soon as i park i check under the car for leaks. The car leaks for a few minutes but then stops. The leaks are not much about one inch puddle. the car does not leak at all while the engine is off. What could be my engines problem

Hi radioheadca,

Most leaks would only occur when engine is running.

One or more oil seals is/are bad resulting in the leaking. Might be a bad oil pressure switch.

Crankshaft oils seal, flywheel oil seal and camshaft oil seals are the common seals most likely to be the cause.

About 2 weeks ago, I started seeing oil spots under my car-just a few. I looked for any visible leaks but could not find any, just a little oil on the bottom front of the oil pan. I cleaned it off and went on my way. Yrsturday, I noticed a huge oil pool under the oil filte area. I have check most everything that I know to check. Could it be the oil pressure switch, distributor, etc? There is oil pretty much every where on the back side of the engine, transmission, etc. The oil stops leaking after the car has stopped running for about 5 or so minutes. But when I crank it up again, a steady drip to almost stream starts back again. Can you help?

what is probably leaking is the oil filter adapter o ring. if you see oil leaking from what appears to be the oil filter or just above it. very simple cheap repair. remove oil filter then remove stud where the oil filter would screw onto. the housing will come down and there is a thick o ring right there. replace the o ring, yours is cracked. honda dealer has part for about 10 bucks.

My 1996 new (to me!) Honda Accord 2.2L is leaking oil out the distributor. I took it to a mechanic, he said it was 1 hour of work, plus replacing the whole distributor (says it's full of oil) for a cost of $375! Ouch!

He said it's a common problem (?). Is this easy to replace? I'm a bit handy w/tools, I used to replace the distributor on my 68 Chevy! Would I be getting in deep dodo to try it on my own???

I'm looking for a reality check, and possibly a website for instructions how to do the job.

Thanks!

Pulling off a distributor on a Honda is about a 20 minutes job. Three bolts and and out she comes. Just unplug the wires. Now is it common, I have never heard of it. I would check around for a used one from a salvage yard or check on ebay. I keep thinking about whether you could replace the inner seal that is causing the leak. I've never torn one down but I would think it is a simple o ring on the inside of the distributor. It should be possible.

Once you put it back on though you want to ensure that the timing is correct.

I just had a mechanic tell me to 'leave that puppy alone', that I could get in deep dodo for messing with the distributor. And he wasn't looking for the job! (a protectionist?) Because it sure does look simple to me...

I priced out new and used distributors, maybe I'll buy a used one and just use the o rings. From the photos on Ebay, it appears there's two of them.

If I mark the location of the distributor prior to taking it off, and ensure I get it back on the same spot, wouldn't that ensure I've maintained the timing?

Same distributor or replacing the destributor? If you put the same one back on you would probably be ok. You will always be close. The timing is important though. Do you have friend with a timing light?

The mechanics who gave me the $375 price said I'd have to replace the distributor 'cause it would be full of oil. After looking at pictures of htem, I kind of doubt they would fill with oil, (or my car would run at all, which it's doing quite well!) If it is full of oil, I'll at least clean it out thuroughly and see how it runs.

If a timing light is all I need to get the timing just right, then I'm off scott free! I remember how to do that from my old '68 Chevy!

The doubt is, I seem to remember something about... if I don't put the distributor back in EXACTLY the same way, I'm doomed with a car that won't run quite right. Is that accurate, or will a timing light correct any minor mis-adjustment in re-threading the distributor back on?

Hello Sir,

I found Oil Leak in my car Honda 1996 Accord. Yesterday evening I put a white paper under my car and start the car for 15-20 min..but there was not a single drop. Then stop engine and keep paper as it is. Today morning I check again. I found few drops of oil on the paper.
Can you please guide me what i should do to resolve this problem?

Thank you very much!!

well honestly the oil could be leaking from just about anywhere.... your first step would be to find out exactly where the oil dropped from so look directly above the oil spot on the paper and try and determine where it is coming from...do you notice blue exaust coming from the back while it is running?
good luck lemme know :)